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Why You Should Buy A Home In Tustin CA

Tustin, California

The city of Tustin, originally founded in the 1870's, is situated in the north-central portionMap of Villa Park CA and Surrounding Cities of Orange County, in Southern California. Tustin, California is located off the Santa Ana 5 Freeway, Costa Mesa 55 Freeway, and is close to the 261 Eastern Transportation Toll Road. The area is bordered by the cities of North Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana, with small segments abutting the city of Orange and Peters Canyon Regional Park.

Tustin, California is approximately 20 miles from the beach, 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, and 10 miles from Disneyland.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tustin, California was incorporated in 1927 with a population of only 900. As of 2010, the city had grown to 75,540 residents within an area of 11.1 square miles, for a total of 6,817 people per square mile.

Newsworthy Facts About Tustin and North Tustin, California

Tustin gained national attention when Forbes magazine recognized the city for its great location, among other things; In 2009 Forbes chose Tustin, California as "One of the Top 25 Towns to Live Well in America", based on its per capita rating and for having one of the shortest commutes in Southern California.

In addition to the recent, positive press, Tustin and North Tustin, which share a school district, have been home to notable public figures, including actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Terry O'Quinn from the television show Lost, Matthew Lillard of Scream and Scooby Doo, ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb and dozens of current and former pro athletes.

Tustin School District

The Tustin Unified School District is a well known, and award winning school district, with the majority of the schools in Tustin having received the National Blue Ribbon School award, as well as the California Distinguished Schools award.

In addition, Tustin High School has become a well respected educational facility, and has received national attention, after being named on Newsweek's highly anticipated, yearly publication of America's Best High Schools, for many years. Tustin High School made the list again in 2011, and ranked in the 450th spot.

TUSD proudly offers a full GATE program at several of the schools within the Tustin School district, as well as a Math and Science Magnet Program at Columbus Tustin Middle School.

What Makes Tustin, California Desirable?

Many factors play a part in the popularity of Tustin, California, including the historical feel of Old Town Tustin and its original architecture, with structures dating back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. Additionally, families are attracted to Tustin due to the award winning school district.

Tustin is also well-liked based on its centralized location in Orange County, California; it is within a short distance to either the far North or far South. The city is convenient for commuters due to its close proximity to numerous freeways, the toll road, and other major thoroughfares, such as Newport Avenue and Jamboree Road. Therefore, Tustin is an attractive location for businesses, as they have the ability to capture a larger audience and service clients throughout Orange County.

Another desirable attribute of Tustin, California includes the warm weather and sunshine throughout the majority of the year; While Tustin is a short 15 minute drive from the beach, it's far enough inland that the mornings are not overcast and the humidity level is low.

Tustin Real Estate And Housing

If you are looking to buy a home in Tustin, California, you will find a wide variety of property types to choose from. Unlike its sister city of North Tustin, this area has everything from 1 bedroom condos to grand, custom homes on one acre lots, and everything in between.

Tustin, California properties range from approximately $100,000 for a condo to over $3,000,000 for luxury estates.

Check Out The Complete Tustin CA Community Report

Check out the complete Tustin, California Community Report, for more details about this wonderful city, including housing, occupation, income, and educational data and statistics. The full report also contains information about nearby parks, recreational facilities, colleges, transportation, hospitals, and more!

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Why You Should Buy A Home In Placentia CA

Placentia, California

Placentia, which is the Spanish word for "Pleasant Place to Live", is situated in theMap of Placentia CA and Surrounding Cities northern portion of Orange County, in Southern California. It is located near the Riverside 91 Freeway and the Orange 57 Freeway, and borders the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Fullerton, and Brea, California.

The city of Placentia is approximately 25 miles from the beach, 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, and 10 miles from Disneyland.

Although the north Orange County city of Placentia was founded in the mid 1800's, the population had grown to a mere 5,000 by 1960. Today, however, the population has exploded to 50,533 residents, and Placentia anticipates even greater growth in the near future, due to a $20,000,000 Metrolink program and revitalization programs that will begin in 2013.

According to the US Census Bureau, the city of Placentia, California spans 6.6 square miles, and, as of 2010, there were 87.4 residents living per square mile.

Placentia School District

The Placentia Yorba Linda School District is well known, throughout the state, for its award winning district, which it shares with the neighboring city of Yorba Linda; A vast majority of the schools in the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District have been honored on numerous occasions with the National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School awards.

Additionally, 2 of the city's 4 high schools have made Newsweek's annual list of America's Best High Schools every year, with Esperanza High School ranking at #240, and Valencia High School ranking at #390 in the nation, in 2011.

Because of the notoriety, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) has become popular with families looking for an advanced education for their child, without having to pay for private school.

In addition to the full GATE programs offered at the magnet schools within PYLUSD, the Placentia Yorba Linda School District offers the world renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program as well as the Val Tech Program, at Valencia High School. These accelerated and prestigious programs were designed to provide an edge for graduates, when applying to leading universities. The IB and Val Tech programs allow students to acquire superior critical thinking skills, greater multicultural understanding, advanced foreign language ability, as well as technology skills in the areas of Arts and Communication, Business and Computer Science, or Science and Technology (Engineering).

What Makes Placentia, California Desirable?

There are numerous factors that contribute to the allure of Placentia, California which include the mix of quiet, family neighborhoods within a short distance of abundant shopping and restaurants. In addition, various neighborhoods throughout Placentia offer beautiful mountain and golf course views, and families are drawn to the area for its award winning and nationally acclaimed school district.

Another desirable attribute of Placentia, California is the warm weather and sunshine throughout the majority of the year; While Yorba Linda is a short 20 minute drive from the beach, it's far enough inland that the mornings are not overcast and the humidity level is low.

Placentia Real Estate And Housing

If you are looking to buy a home in Placentia, California, you'll find a variety of residential property types to choose from. Whether you're interested in traditional single family homes, homes with hills, city lights or golf course views, or condominium living, Placentia has what you're looking for!

The majority of the homes in Placentia, California were built from the 1960's, through the 1980's. However, there are more recent developments, many of which can be found near the Alta Vista Golf Club, and close to the border of neighboring city, Yorba Linda, California.

Placentia properties range from approximately $100,000 for a condo to $700,000+ for a newer, single family residence.

Check Out The Complete Placentia CA Community Report

Check out the complete Placentia, California Community Report, for more details about this wonderful city, including housing, occupation, income, and educational data and statistics. The full report also contains information about nearby parks, recreational facilities, colleges, transportation, hospitals, and more!

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Why You Should Buy A Home In Orange CA or Orange Park Acres CA

Orange, California

The city of Orange, California was incorporated in 1871, and is situated in the northern portion of the County of Orange, in Southern California. This expansive community is bordered by the cities of North Tustin, Tustin, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Villa Park, and Anaheim Hills, as well as the Santiago Oaks Regional Park, the Santa Ana Riverbed, Irvine Regional Park, and Peters Canyon Regional Park.

Map of Orange CA and Orange Park Acres CA

Several major highways border, intersect and/or run directly through the center of Orange, California, including the Garden Grove 22 Freeway, the Santa Ana 5 Freeway, the Orange 57 Freeway, the Costa Mesa 55 Freeway, and the Riverside 91 Freeway.

Orange, California is approximately 20 miles from the beach, 35 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, and 10 miles from Disneyland. According to the US Census Bureau, the city of Orange spans 25.2 square miles and, as of 2010, there were a total of 136,416 people living in Orange, with 3,269 residents per square mile.

There are several unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the city of Orange, California, that have taken on their own identity and are known to local residents by other names. These areas include Orange Park Acres, Santiago Hills, Mabury Ranch, The Orange Circle, Orange Hills, Orange Olive, and El Modena.

Orange School District

The schools in Orange, California are part of the Orange Unified School District, which also governs schools in the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Villa Park. Many of the OUSD schools are known for their excellence and achievements, and have received the Blue Ribbon School award, as well as the California Distinguished Schools award.

In addition to the full GATE program offered at numerous OUSD schools, the district has also developed several charter schools and offers the world renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at a number of their school sites. This accelerated and prestigious program has a great impact on the admission selection process with leading colleges and universities. The IB program provides students with superior critical thinking skills, greater respect and understanding of other cultures, and serves as excellent preparation for the challenging coursework offered in leading colleges and universities.

What Makes Orange, California Desirable?

When it comes to the city of Orange, California, there is no one answer to the question regarding its desirability. The city is so widespread, and each area offers something unique, and has its own distinct style and amenities.

For example, one of the most well known areas of Orange is the historical district known as Old Towne Orange, or The Circle. This area is home to Orange County's oldest operating bank and soda fountain, and is lined with homes that date back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. It is a popular area due to its small town charm, historical attributes, and the ability to walk down to the neighborhood shops and restaurants in a relaxed atmosphere.

While Orange, California contains an array of vibrant and frequented commercial areas, you can also find neighborhoods that are removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, and have retained a rural atmosphere. Santiago Hills and Orange Park Acres are 2 such communities, which offer a peaceful, family environment, complete with equestrian properties, tree lined streets, horse trails, and limited sidewalks and street lights.

If horses and trees aren't your thing, then you may want to consider neighborhoods that put you the middle of the action, such as the housing developments near one of the 2 malls in Orange, California. These areas surround The Village at Orange, and the newly revamped Block at Orange Outlet Mall.

Another desirable feature of Orange, California includes the warm weather and sunshine throughout the majority of the year; While Orange is a short 15 minute drive from the beach, it's far enough inland that the mornings are not overcast and the humidity level is low.

Orange Real Estate And Housing

If you are looking to buy a home in Orange, California, you will have many options to choose from. The city is extremely diverse and contains every type of home, condo, and neighborhood that you could imagine.

In the more rural parts of the city, such as the Orange Park Acres community, you will find large, equestrian properties, and custom estates. However, the majority of the homes in Orange were built in the 50's, 60's and 70's, and are more traditional, with average sized lots of 5,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Other unique areas include Old Towne Orange, also referred to as the "Orange Circle". This historical district contains the original town plaza, which was built in the late 1800's, and residential properties in this area were built during the same time period, and include Bungalows, Craftsman, Spanish Colonial, Victorian, and numerous other styles of homes.

Orange, California properties range from approximately $100,000 for a condo, to over $2,500,000 for luxury estates.

Check Out The Complete Orange CA And Orange Park Acres CA Community Report

Check out the complete Orange and Orange Park Acres, California Community Report, for more details about this wonderful city, including housing, occupation, income, and educational data and statistics. The full report also contains information about nearby parks, recreational facilities, colleges, transportation, hospitals, and more!

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Why You Should Buy A Home In North Tustin CA

North Tustin, California

The North Tustin community, which was formerly known as the Tustin Foothills, is an Map of North Tustin CA and Surrounding Citiesunincorporated area within Orange County, California, and includes the neighborhoods of Cowan Heights, Lemon Heights, East Tustin, Panorama Heights, Crawford Canyon, and Red Hill.

North Tustin, California is situated in the north east portion of Orange County, in Southern California, near the Costa Mesa 55 Freeway, Santa Ana 5 Freeway, and the 261 Toll Road/Eastern Transportation Corridor. The area is bordered by Peters Canyon Regional Park, and the cities of Tustin, Irvine, and Orange. It is located approximately 20 miles from the beach, 45 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, and 15 miles from Disneyland.

The community of North Tustin has a total area of 6.7 square miles, and, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 24,917 residents living in the community as of 2010, with 3,734 residents per square mile.

Newsworthy Facts About Tustin and North Tustin, California

Tustin gained national attention when Forbes magazine recognized the city for its great location, as well as other attributes; In 2009 Forbes chose Tustin, California as "One of the Top 25 Towns to Live Well in America", based on its per capita rating and for having one of the shortest commutes in Southern California.

In addition to the recent, positive press, Tustin and North Tustin, which share a school district, have been home to notable public figures, including actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Terry O'Quinn from the television show Lost, Matthew Lillard of Scream and Scooby Doo, ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb and dozens of current and former pro athletes.

Tustin School District

The schools within North Tustin are part of the Tustin Unified School District, and are well known for their excellence and achievements. Nearly every school in North Tustin has received the Blue Ribbon School award, as well as the California Distinguished Schools award.

Foothill High School is a well respected educational facility, and has receiving notoriety, after being named on Newsweek's highly anticipated, yearly publication of America's Best High Schools. Foothill typically ranks within the top 300 of these nationwide schools each year, and placed in the 190th spot in 2011.

TUSD proudly offers a full GATE program at several of the schools within the Tustin School district, as well as a Math and Science Magnet Program at Columbus Tustin Middle School.

What Makes North Tustin, California Desirable?

Many factors play a part in the allure of North Tustin, California, including the rolling hills, lush landscaping, large lots, and the well respected school district.

In addition, many residential developments in North Tustin were distanced from the city's commercial properties, which has enabled the residents to preserve a small town feel within a bustling business community.

Location, location, location; North Tustin is also well-liked based on its centralized location in Orange County, California; it is within a short distance to either the far North or far South. The city is convenient for commuters due to its close proximity to numerous freeways, the toll road, and other major thoroughfares, such as Newport Avenue and Jamboree Road. Therefore, North Tustin is an attractive location for businesses, as they have the ability to capture a larger audience and service clients throughout Orange County.

Another popular feature of North Tustin, California includes the warm weather and sunshine throughout the majority of the year; While North Tustin is a short 15 minute drive from the beach, it's far enough inland that the mornings are not overcast and the humidity level is low.

North Tustin Real Estate And Housing

If you are looking to buy a home in North Tustin, California, you will primarily find single family residences. There are an extremely limited amount of condos that fall within the boundaries of the North Tustin area. Because of this anomaly, the median sales price remains on the higher end, as compared to surrounding cities.

Unlike many other Southern California cities, North Tustin did not experience as steep of a drop in property value and wide spread foreclosures. This can be attributed to the desirability of the area, the lack of homes for sale at any given time, as well as the fiscally conservative nature of the majority of homeowners in North Tustin.

North Tustin, California properties range from approximately $550,000 for traditional, single family homes to over $3,000,000 for luxury estates. Currently, there are no condos on the market, and there have been no MLS documented sales of condos in North Tustin since 2006, therefore, a median price could not be established at this time.

Check Out The Complete North Tustin CA Community Report

Check out the complete North Tustin, California Community Report, for more details about this wonderful city, including housing, occupation, income, and educational data and statistics. The full report also contains information about nearby parks, recreational facilities, colleges, transportation, hospitals, and more!

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Will The $18 Billion Mortgage Settlement Really Help California Homeowners?

California Awarded 18 Billion Dollars To Help Struggling HomeownersHouse Sitting In A Lifesaver

More details have been released regarding the nationwide lawsuit and mass settlement against Wells Fargo, Bank of American, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and Ally Financial, which are the largest home loan servicing companies in the U.S.

How The California Mortgage Settlement Money Will Be Divided

According to the California State Attorney General, Kamala D. Harris, California was awarded a total of $18 Billion to assist various groups of homeowners. The settlement money will be divided as follows:

  • $12 Billion + will be used for California short sales and to reduce the principal balance owed by borrowers whose homes are worth less than what they currently owe.
  • $3.5 Billion will be applied to loans that California borrowers are obligated to pay, after a foreclosure.
  • $1.1 Billion will be used to assist unemployed California homeowners with things such as transitional costs.
  • $849 Million will be used to refinance California home loans owned by borrowers that are still current on their mortgage, yet owe more than their homes are worth and cannot refinance through traditional means.
  • $430 million will be paid to the state attorney general's office, to cover costs and fees.
  • $279 million will be paid as restitution, to California homeowners that lost their property to foreclosure between 2008 and 2011.

California Homeowners Can Still Sue Their Lender

California homeowners may still seek additional relief and retain the right to take legal action against their lender(s). However, this settlement does not relieve a homeowner from their financial responsibility, and it does not stop any foreclosure proceedings.

The Government Is Getting Wise To Lenders Games

So, how will this affect California homeowners, and will it make difference? As we've seen over the past several years, there have been numerous attempts by the government, to twist the arm of the lenders, in an effort to make them share some of their record breaking profits with homeowners that have been affected by the wide spread devastation, all to no avail. Is this time different, and if so, how?

Well, it looks as though government entities are getting wise to the reindeer games, and have taken some precautions to ensure that this is not just another wild goose chase for borrowers. Apparently, part of California's settlement agreement states that if lenders do not reduce principal balances on California home loans,by at least $12 billion, they will pay fines to the state of up to $800 million.

Is An $800 Million Slap On The Wrist Enough?

Is that enough? I say that it's doubtful. While $800 million may seem unfathomable to me and you, I don't believe that it's enough of a slap on the wrist for mega giant lenders such as these. Without knowing what the additional stipulations are, I'll refrain from going on too much of a tirade, but that, in and of itself, is not a sufficient incentive. I'm just sayin...

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